Author Archives: د.حسام أبو فرسخ

Comment: Incomplete expression of Rh antigen in blood grouping is usually confirmed by this test

Sample: EDTA whole blood

Normal range: Methamphetamine: Negative less than 1000 ng/mL

Opiates/morphine: Negative less than 300 ng/mL; Marijuana/Tetrahydrocannabinol: Negative less than 50 ng/mL; Amphetamine:Negative less than 1000 ng/mL; Cocaine/ benzoylecgonine:Negative less than300 ng/mL; Benzodiazepine:Negative less than 300 ng/mL; Barbiturates: Negative less than 300 ng/mL; Mathadone: Negative less than 300 ng/mL; Phencyclidine:  Negative less than 25 ng/mL; Tricyclic Antidepressants: Negative less than 1000 ng/mL

Comment: For confirmation of results obtained in screening tests for drugs of abuse and challenge samples in Industrial Tribunal cases

Sample: Spot urine

Normal range: Therapeutic range: 2-5 μg/mL

Comment: Cardiovascular drug used in the suppression and prevention of unifocal and multifocal premature complexes, couple ventricular tachycardia; effective in the conersion of atrial fiblliration, atrial flutter, and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia to normal sinus rhythm and prevention of reoccurrence of these arrhythmias after conversion method. Higher levels maybe be required for ventricular arrhythmias

Decreased effect with hepatic Microsomal enzyme-inducing agents (Phenytoin, Phenobarbital). Increased effect in serum concentration with erythromycin

Sample: serum

Normal range: Negative

Comment: To detect presence of Trichomonas spp. & Candida spp

Sample: Vaginal or vulvar swab

Normal range: Adult Male: 20-49 yrs        : 155-553 pg/mL

yrs  >50    : 36-573 pg/mL

:Adult Female

yrs 15-49  : 5.5-170 pg/mL

yrs  >50    : 4.0-71 pg/mL

Comment: Dihydrotestosterone (DH) is produced from testosterone by the action of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme found in many androgens – sensitive tissues (e.g., skin, prostate, other internal genitalia). Whereas testosterone maybe metabolized to DHT or to the estrogen, Estradiol, DHT is not converted into estrogen and is much more potent an androgen than is testosterone. Most disorders involving excess or insufficient testicular androgen are well evaluated by measuring Testosterone, Total and free. In the 46X, Y fetus, the development of the external genitalia depends on the action of DHT

Sample: serum

Therapeutic range: 0.5-2 ng/mL

Comment: Used for monitoring therapy. With normal renal function it may take 5-7 days after treatment has begun before a steady level is achieved

Sample: serum

Cause Dengue fever. Useful for investigation of fever of unknown origin or in encephalitis

Sample: serum

(Mucopolysaccharide metabolite test (urine test

(Propionic aciduria test (urine test

(Isovaleric aciduria test (urine test

(Phenyl-ketonuria test (blood and urine test

(Glycine metabolite (blood and urine test

(Citrullinemia metabolites (blood and urine

(Dicarboxylic aciduria test (blood and urine

(Glutaric aciduria test (urine test

Metachromatic leukodystrophy test

Gangliosidosis (GM1) test

Gangliosidosis (GM2) test

Mannosidosis test

(Carnitine total (blood and urine

(Carnitine free (blood and urine

(Lactate (blood test

(Ammonia (blood test

:Normal range

(5hr urine collection: ≥ 4 g/5 hours (26.6 mmol/5 hours

1hrs after 25 gm xylose serum level: ≥ 25 mg/dL, ≥1.7 mmol/L

1hr (children) after 5 gm xylose serum level: ≥ 20 mg/dL, ≥ 1.3 mmol/L

Comment: d-Xylose is a five- carbon monosaccharide not normally present in significant amounts in the blood. It is passively absorbed unchanged by the normal duodenum and jejunum, and it is excreted unmetaboplized by the kidneys. The d-xylose absorption test is used as screening test for intestinal carbohydrate malabsorption. An oral dose of d-xylose is admistered to the fasting patient, and after a specified period, d-xylose is measured in the patient’s timed urine collection and/or serum specimen. Low recoveries in the urine are consistent with intestinal malabsorption syndromes

Sample: 2hrs after 5 gm xylose serum level, 1hr (children) after 5 gm xylose serum level, 5 hr urine collection

Normal range: < 0.5 μg/ml

Comment: The D –Dimer

test detects the cross-linked fibrin degradation fragment, D-dimer. A positive D-dimer result is presumptive evidence for disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) or other intravascular thrombosis. It may also be elevated in pregnancy (especially postpartum period); malignancy; surgery

Sample: Citrated Plasma, Fresh